Apparatus for the treatment of hydrocarbon oils



APPLLCATION FlLED JULY 30. l9l8.

Patented Nov. 2, r1920.

FIG. 2.

3m uc u/boz CT Hou/w13 A A w- @f 4 5 @6 7 T 2 2 2 2 sor 'ingof a constant pressure.

TENT OFFICE.

ROLAND B. DAY, 0F SWARTHMOBE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 ALFRED .'B. ADAMS,

0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOB THE TREATMENT 0F HYDROCARBON OILS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

Application filed July 30, 1918. Serial No. 247,394..

and useful Improvements in Apparatus for the Treatment of Hydrocarbon Oils, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for the treatment ofhydrocarbon oilsand pertains particularly to a combined apparatus for extracting .oil from shale orsimilar hydro carbon o il containing material and for cracking the oil so extracted.

The invention includes the apparatus for treatment of the shale and the oil extracted therefrom by contact with hot gases of combustion whereby oil vapors are drawn from the shale and certain of the vapors are condensed and are led back again to the shale and subjected therein to a cracking temperature. Y

One feature of the invention is theappaf ratus for the fractional condensation of the oil vapors driven from the shale, and the means for the progressive introductlon of the fractions into contacta with the now semi-spent' shale and gases of combustion in such a *manner that the lightest fractions -are treated with the hottest'gases and the heavier fractions are treated wlth the progressively cooled gases and the shale at a point more remote from the source of the gases. 35 f The apparatus is designed to perform d1stillation and cracking operations at a common pressure and is' operated at certain ranges of temperatures for the cracking.

The invention furtherl provides apparatus forl the generation of gases of combustion adjacent'the base of the combined distillmg and cracking chamber which is to operate filled with shale, and also -fnr the fractional condensing of oil vapors in a tower locatedabove and in continuation of the cracking chamber.

The invention'also provides apparatus iiiofthe walls of 'the cooling chamber is a controlling the movement of the' shale into tionally condensed oil;

and out of thev apparatus and the maintainy The above mentioned and otherfeatures of the invention will be described in detail and claimed in the following specification and claims and'described in the drawings,

in which:

Figure 1 represents a vertical sectional/ view through thepreferred form of apparatus; y

Fig. 2 is an exterior view taken at right angles to Fig. l and illustrating the progressive arrangement of the pipingl for the frac-- It is generall known that different oils will crack at di erent temperatures and that in the case of petroleum the lower the boiling point the higher the cracking point. The present invention provides for the application of this principle to the extraction and cracking of hydrocarbon oils while in a vaporous condition by contact with hot gases of combustion substantiallydevoid of oxygen or by other heating means. In carrying the process into effect, the oil to be treated is first separated into a number of different cuts or fractions according to their boiling points and thereafter acted upon by the temperature best suited to each fraction. The invention provides an apparatus which is substantially tower-like or cylindrical.

In the lower part of this tower, which's preferably of metal, is a lining of irebrick. This portion constitutes a combined distilling and cracking chamber andis to be maintained full of shale. ""Gases of combustion are generated and directed into the shale near the baseof the mass in the tower providing the heat and pressure necessaryy for cracking.A The upper portion of the appa-` ratus constitutes a fractionating coolingv chamber and need not be lined with fire brick as the heat is not as intense and no cracking willtake place here. A hopper is provided vsubstantially filling the distilling and cracking chamber. Attached to the inner surface serles of annular troughs/adapted to catch condensates of differentv boiling points. A corresponding set of pipes conduct the material thus caught belowl to the cracking chamber where it comes into contact with theheated shale and is vaporized again and cracked'.- The cooling chamber may have its walls cooled by any suitable means.

Referring in detailto the drawing, 1 indicates a cylindrical metal casing which stands vertically on any suitable foundation, not shown. The lower' half of the interior ofthe casing 1 is t'he-combined distilling and cracking chamber and because it is subjected to very intense heat, it is lined with fire brick 2 or other material capable of withstanding cracking temperature. The lower end of the cylinder is continued downwardly in a tapered portion 3. The upper end of the cylinder 1 is closed by a top member 4 and ijust below the top is an outlet opening 5 for the passage of vapors which may be driven off to a suitable condenser, not shown. Adjacent the bottom of the cylinder 1 and 4above the tapered portion 3 are the laterally extending conically shaped hollow burner extensions 6. These extensions are tightly secured to'the cylinder 1 and are a substantially continuous part thereof. Fire brick 2 is also used with. in the burner extensions'G. At the extreme ends of the extensions 6 and positioned just within the bore of the extensions is anoil burner ,7 having connected thereto the oil pipe 8 and steam pipe 9. The lire blast from the burner 7 may create considerable pressure, causing a'positive movement of gases upward through the cylinder 1. An elbow pipe 110 of approximately the same bore as the bore of the extension 6 is fastened to the extension over the end of the bore and extends downwardly. Oxygen or air under pressure may be supplied through the pipe 10 from any suitable source, such as a pump, not shown. The end of the pipe 10 farthestrremoved from t'he towers is preferably providedv with valve means for' closing the same and thus maintaining pressure l within the tower.

Mounted on the top 4 is a hopper 11 adapted to hold the untreated shale. e Between the hopper 11 and the top 4 isv a measuring valve 12 illustrated as being a tapered rotary valve having the casing .13. A spring 14 is adapted to hold the valve tightly seated. It is necessary that there be a tight connection at this point as the apparatus is designed to operate under pressure. The rotary valve post 12 is recessed onone side so as to permit a given amount of shale to enter the chamber through the opening 15 when the valveis rotated.

A rolling grate 16 is illustrated as extending across the cracking chamber at a point just below the burner extensions 6. Power is applied to the grate 16 by means of a driven wheel 17.

Y A vertical grate member 18 is provided to prevent the shale from falling into the burner extensions 6 and is designed to permit the passage of gases of combustion therethrough.A Plungers 19 are illustrated as mounted near the top of the cracking chamber and are adapted to be thrust into the chamber to determine the heighth of the shale therein. At the bottom of the apparatus and below the grate 16 is a discharge valve 2O similar to valve 12, having a casing 21 and spring 22.' Drive wheels 23 are illustrated as connected to the valves 12 and 20 and are adapted to be connected to be a common source of power and so timed that the yvalves will be in the closed position during the same period in order that pressure may be maintained within the apparatus.

. A plurality of annular collector flanges 24, 25, 26`and 27 are mounted around the interior wall of the upper portion of the cylinder 1 and serve to catch any material condensing on the inner surface. Material thus caufrht is led from the flanges 24, 25 26 and 2% and through pipes 24, 25a, 26a, and 27"l back into the cracking chamber and into contact with the shale. The flanges may be located at any suitable location according to the fractions to be obtained, fractions having low boiling points being caught at the top of the chamber in flange 24 and conducted to that part of the cracking chamber having the temperature best suited forthe cracking, which part is nearest the source of heat. Steam injector pipes 24h, 25h, 26" and 27b are provided at each point of introduction of the pipes 24, 25a, 26a and 27 a, respectively, to assist in forcing the oil into the mass of the shale within the tower. Below the burner extension there is provided a steam pipe 28 for injecting a blast of steam into the shale. An inspection plate l,29 is provided on the tapered part 3 and an air pipe 30 is provided to furnlsh oxygen to burn out the carbon. In the usual operation the heat of the spent shale is sufcient to burn out the carbon.

In the operation lof the apparatus, the shale is introduced from the hopper to ll up the cracking chamber. The burners 7 are ignited and the flames are projected toward the grates '18 and rovide a current of intensely -hot gases whlch pass through the grate member 18 and pass upwardly through the shale, distilling oil therefrom. The lighter vaporsand gases ass out of the opening 5. The vapors con ensing at the top of the coolin chamber are taken olf through pipe 24a, t e next fraction through pipe 25a, the next through pipe 26a and the lowermost fraction condensing at high temperatures just above the shale taken off through pipe 27a. v

Fraction No. 1 has a lower boiling point because it was heated by the coolest gases, farthest from the'burner. Accordingly in order that this distillate can' be craked, it

-must be subjected to the hottest cracking heat and it is therefore introduced b pipe 24a at the lowermost point of intro uction Letters Within the cracking chamber. Fraction No. 2 being taken from the ang'e 25 at a point farther down, by pipev L is necessarily hotter and is led into the cracking chamber rvabove the first fraction. The. efect is that the irst introduction of oil into the hot gas and into the shale cooled it to the point Where the Vnext fraction would react to the best advantage.4 f

Steam pipes 24:1, 25h, 2Gb and 27b are indicated as being mounted atthe lower' points of introduction into the shale chamber of the pipes 24'?, 25, 26", and 273` respectively.

The oil running in the pipes is thus blown effectively into the shale and carried farther into the, mass thereof than Would be possible Without the use of the steam blast.

The cooling and fractionating tower is provided with a sprinkler ring 31 to furnishV Water to run down and 4cool the upper party of cylinder 1. An oblique catch flange '32'A encircles the cylinder at a point near this" lower end of the cooling chamber andvprovides means for catching the cooling Water.

A drain pipe 33 is connected to the ange 32 .and provides for the discharge of the cooling Water:

The invention includes the operation `at temperatures ranging from 600 F. to 3000 'FL and. at pressure ranging up to .600 lbs.

per square inch.` Much of the shale now bef ing treated could be used successfully Without requiring a temperature above1200o F. The apparatus must operate under pressure and the pressure is equalized through the various pipes and other parts of the apparatus.

Any number of fractions could be similarly obtained and treated by Varying the number] and position of the collector flanges, 'and the apparatus isapplicable toany'type of shale or vapor phase process. Changes in size, shape and material vmay be made Without departing from the scope of the invention.

I'claim:

1. An apparatus for extracting hydrocar-y bon oilsf'rom shale and similar material and for treating the oils, Which comprises a com- `bined distillingl and cracking chamber, a

cooling chamber positioned as a continua tion of said combined distilling and cracking chamber, collector means Withinfsaid cooling chamber for collecting materials condensed therein, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber,

f and means for generating hot-gases Ofcombustion and passing the same through said shale to distill and crack the'oil therein.

2. An apparatus for extracting hydrocarbon oils ro'iishale and similarmaterial and for treating the oils, Which comprises a combined distilling and cracking chamber,

a `c9oling chamber positioned as a continuation of said combined distilling and cracking chamber, means to admit shale intosaid bon oils distilling and cracking chamber, means for generating hot gases of combustion and introducing the same into said shale toy disy till and crack 'the oil therein, collector means Within said cooling chamber to collect the oil condensed therein, and means to conduct oil from said collector means to introduce it from different parts of said cooling chamber- Y .and introducing said condensed oil into dit'- ferent parts of said distilling` and cracking chamber.

4:. An'apparatus for extracting hydrocara bon oils from shale and similar material and for treating the oils, Which comprises a combined distilling and cracking chamber, a cooling chamber positioned as -a continuation of said combined distilling and crack-V ing chamber, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber, means `for generating hot gases of combustion and introducingthe same into said shale to distill` and crackl the oil therein, collector means Within said cooling chamber to collect` the ioo oil condensed therein, and means to conduct liquid oil from said collector means and introduce it into said distilling and cracking chamber, and into contact with the shale material therein.-

5. An apparatusfor extracting hydrocar-i bon oils from shale and similar material and for treating the oils, which comprises a combined distilling and cracking chamber,

a coolingchamber positioned as a continuation of said combined distilling and cracking chamber, means to admit'shale .into said distilling and cracking chamber, means forgenerating hot gases of combustion and supplying the same to said shale to distill and crack the oil therein, and a plurality ofseparateand independent means for conducting condensed oil from diierent parts of said cooling chamber and introducing said condensed oil into diferent'parts of said distilling and cracking chamber and into contact with the shale material therein.

6. An apparatus for extracting hydrocarbon oils from shale 'and similar material and for treating the oils, which comprises a combined distillingand cracking chamber, a cooling chamber positioned as a continuation of ,said combined distilling and crackdistilling and cracking ing chamber, means to admit shale into said chamber, means for gcneratingfhot gases o combustionand supplying the same to said shale to distill and crack the oil therein, means for collecting and conducting condensed oil from sald ycooling chamber at a point relatively distant from the source of said gases of combustion and introducing said condensed oilI into said distilling and cracking chamber .at a point relatively adjacent the source of said gases of combustion, -and means for collecting and conducting condensed oil from said cooling chamber at a point relatively nearer the source of said gases of combustion than said lirst point of collecting and introducing the same into said dis-l tilling and cracking-chamber at a point farther away from the source of said gases of combustion lthan the lirst mentioned point of introduction.

An apparatus for extracting hydrocarbon oils :from shale and similar material and for treating the oils, Which comprises an upright combined distilling and cracking chamber, a cooling. chamber positioned as a continuation of said combined distilling and cracking chamber and immediately above the latter, collector means Within saidy cooling chamber for collecting materials condensed therein, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber,

and means for generating hot gases of combustion and passing the same through saidshale to distill and crack the oil therein.

8. An apparatus for extracting hydrocarbon oils from shale and'l similar material and for treating the 011s, which comprises an upright combined distilling and cracking chamber, a cooling chamber positioned as a continuation of said combined distil- -ling and cracking chamber and immediately above the latter, means to admit shale intosaid distilling and cracking chamber, means for generating hot gases of combustion and-v introducing the same into said shale toy dis` till and crack the oil therein, collector means Within `said cooling chamber to collect the oil condensed therein, and means to conduct liquid oil from said collectorv means to said distilling and cracking chamber.

9. An apparatus for extracting hydrocarbon'oils from sh `le and similar material and for treating tlg oils, which comprises an upright comb' ed distilling and cracking chamber, a ycooling chamber positioned as a continuation of said combined distilling and cracking chamber and immediately.

above the latter, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber, means for generating hot gases of combustion and supplying the same to said shale to distill and crack the oil therein, and a plurality of separate and independent means' for conducting'condensed oil :from different parts imams of said cooling chamber, and introducing said condensed oiltinto different parts ofvsaid distilling andcracking chamber.

10. An` apparatus for extracting hydrocarbon oils from shale and similar material and `for treating the oils,'-which comy prises an upright combined distilling and cracking chamber, a cooling chamber positioned as a continuation of said combined4 distilling and cracking chamber and immediately above the latter, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber, means for generating hot gases of combustion and introducing the same into said shale to distill and crack the oil therein, collector means Within said cooling lchamber to collect the oil condensed therein, and means to conduct oil from saidcollector means and introduce it into said distilling and cracking chamber and into contact With the shale material therein.

1l. An apparatus for extracting hyd'r0` carbon oils from shale and similar material and for treating the oils, Which comprisesan A upright combined distilling and .cracking chamber, a cooling chamber positioned as continuation of said combined distilling .and cracking chamber and immediately above the latter. meanstoadmit shale into said an upright combined distilling and :cracking chamber, a cooling chamber positioned as a continuation of said combined distilling and cracking chamber'and immediately above the latter, meansfto admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber, means' for generating hot gases of combustion and supplying the same to said shale to distill Y `and crack the oil therein, means for collecting and conducting condensed oil from said cooling chamber at a oint relatively vdistant from the source oi) said gase of combustion and introducing said cond nsed oil into said distilling and cracking chamber at a point relatively adjacent the source of said gases ofcombustion,y and means for collecting and conducting condensed oil from said cooling chamber at a point rela tively nearer the source of said gases of combv stion than said `iirst point of collecting andj introducing the same into said distilling and cracking chamber at a point farther away from the source of said gases of combustion than the first mentioned point of introduction. I

13. An apparatus for extracting hydrol, carbon oil and for `treating the oil, Which comprises a combined distilling and cracking chamber, 'a cooling chamber positioned as a continuation of said combined' distilling and crack-v ing chamber, collector means Within said cooling chamber for collecting materials condensed therein, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber, and

means for providing the sole source of heat comprising means for generating gases of combustion and intermingling the same With the shale Within said distilling and cracking chamber to distill and crack the oil therein.

14. An-apparatus for extracting hydrocarbon oil from shale and similar material and for treating the oil, which comprises a combined distilling and cracking chamber, a cooling chamber positioned as a continuation of said combined distilling and crack-- ing chamber, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber, and means for providing a heating medium Within said distilling and cracking chamber to distill and crack the oil therein, and a plurality of separate and independent means for conducting condensed oil from different parts of said cooling chamber andI introducing said condensed oil into diii'erent parts of said distilling and cracking chamber.

l5. An apparatus for extracting hydrocarbon oil from shale and similar material and for treating the oil, which comprises a' combined distilling and cracking chamber, a cooling chamber positioned as a continua` tion 'of said combined distilling and cracking chamber, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber, and means for providing a heating medium Within said distilling and cracking chamber to distill and crack ythe oil therein, means for collecting and conducting condensed oil from said cooling chamber at a point relativelydistant from the source of said heatingmedium and introducing said condensed oil intol said dis'- tilling and cracking chamber at a -point relativelyl adjacent the source of said heating medium, and means for collecting and conducting condensed oil from a point relatively nearer the source of said heatin medium than said rst mentioned point o collection and introducing the same into saidV distilling and cracking chamber at a point farther away from the source of said heating medium than the/.rst mentioned point of introduction.

16. An apparatus lfor extracting hydrocarbon oils from shale and"similar material andc.

for treating the oils, which comprises a combined distilling and cracking chamber, a cooling chamberpositioned as a continuation of said combined distilling and cracking rom shale and similar material x lmeasuring valves.

chamber, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber, and means for generating hot gases of combustion and supplying the same tosaid shale to distill and crack the oil therein, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking cham` ber, including a substantially air tight valve, and"means to permit the discharge of spent shale and ash from said apparatus including a substantially air tight valve.

17 An apparatus for extracting hydrocarbon oilsfrom shale and similar material `and for treating the oils, which comprises a` combined distilling and cracking chamber, a'cooling chamber positioned as a continuation of said combined distilling and cracking chamber, means 'to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber, means for generating hot gases of combustion and supplying the same to said shale to distill and crack the oil therein,l means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber including a substantially air-tight measuring valve, means to permit the discharge of spent shale and ash from said apparatus including a substantially air tight measuring valve, and means to operate each of said An apparatus for extracting hydrocarbon oils from shale and similar material and for treating the oils, which comprises a combined distilling and cracking chamber, p

a cooling chamber positioned as a continuation of said combined distilling and cracking chamber, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber, means for generating hot gases of combustion and supplying the same to said shale to distill and crack the oil therein, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber including a substantially air tight measuring valve, means to permit the discharge of spent shale and ash from said apparatus including a substantially air tight measuring valve, andA a connecting driveconnection between said valvel adapted to maintain 'the movement of one valve constant with the movement ofA the other.

19. An apparatasfor extracting hydrocarbon oils from shale and similar material and for treating the oils, which comprises a combined distilling and cracking chamber, a cooling chamber positioned as a continuation of said combined distilling and cracking chamber, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber, means for,

of combustion, means for'collecting and conducting condensed oil from said cooling chamber at a point relatively nearer the source of said gases of combustion than said first point of collecting and introducing the same into said distilling and cracking chamber at a point farther away from the source of said gases of combustion than the lirst mentioned point of introduction, means to admit shale'intolsaid distilling and cracking chamber including a substantially air tight valve, means to permit the discharge of spent shale and ash from said apparatus including a substantially air tight valve.

20. An apparatus for extracting hydrocarbon oils from shale and similar material and for treating the oils, which comprises a combined distilling and cracking chamber, a

cooling chamber positioned as a continuation of said combined distilling and cracking chamber, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber, means for generating hot gases of combustion and supplying the same to said shale t0 distill and .crack the oil therein, means for collecting and conducting condensed oil from said cooling chamber at a point relatively distant from the source of said gases of combustion and introducing said condensed oil into said distilling and cracking chamber at a point relatively adjacent the source of said gases of combustion, meansv for collecting and conducting condensed oil from said cooling chamber at a point relatively nearer the source of said gases of combustion than said first point of collecting and introducing the same into said distilling and cracking chamber`at a point farther away from the source of said gases of combustion than the rst mentioned point of introduction, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber, including a substantially air tight measuring valve, means to permit the discharge of spent shale and ash from said apparatus including a substantially air tight measuring valve, and a connecting drive member between said valves adapted to maintain the movement of one valve constant with that of the other.

21. Anapparatus for extracting hydrocarbon oils from shale and similar material and for treating the oils, which comprises an upright combined distilling and cracking chamber, a cooling chamber positioned as a continuation of said combined distilling and cracking chamber and immediatelyzabove the latter, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber, means for 'generating hot gases of combustion and supf bon oils from shale and similar material and for treating the oils, which comprises an upright combined distilling and cracking chamber, a cooling chamber positioned as a continuation of said combined distilling and cracking chamber and immediately above the latter, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking chamber, means for generating hot gases of combustion and supplying the same to said shale to distill and crack the oil therein, means to admit shale into said distilling and cracking .chamber including a substantially air tight measuring valve, means to permit the discharge of spent shale and ash from said apparatus including a substantially air tight measuring valve, and a connecting drive member between said valves adapted to maintain the movement of one Valve constant with that of the other y In testimony whereof I have hereunto set m hand.

y ROLAND B. DAY. 

